Exhaust Aftertreatment System Having Mixer Assembly

ABSTRACT

A mixer assembly for mixing an injected reductant with an exhaust gas output from a combustion engine comprises a mixer housing including a wall defining an exhaust passageway having a longitudinal axis. A tubular swirling device housing extends along a first axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. The tubular swirling device includes a plurality of openings through which exhaust gas enters. The exhaust gas within the tubular swirling device swirls about the first axis and exits at an outlet end of the tubular swirling device. A mixing plate is positioned immediately downstream of the tubular swirling device and includes apertures through which the exhaust gas exiting the outlet end of the tubular swirling device flows. The mixing plate swirls the exhaust about a second axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/001,356 filed on Jan. 20, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/106,398, filed on Jan. 22, 2015. Theentire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mixer assembly for an exhaustaftertreatment system.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

In an attempt to reduce the quantity of NO_(x) and particulate matteremitted to the atmosphere during internal combustion engine operation, anumber of exhaust aftertreatment devices have been developed. A need forexhaust aftertreatment systems particularly arises when dieselcombustion processes are implemented. Typical aftertreatment systems fordiesel engine exhaust may include a hydrocarbon (HC) injector, a dieseloxidation catalyst (DOC), a diesel particulate filter (DPF), and aselective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

SCR technology has been used in conjunction with reducing nitrogenoxides present in the exhaust of combustion engines. Some of thesesystems are constructed using urea-based technology including acontainer for storing a reductant (e.g., urea) and a delivery system(including an injector, for example) for transmitting the reductant fromthe container to the exhaust stream. A mixer is typically provided formixing the injected reductant with the exhaust gas before the reductantreaches a catalyst with which the reductant reacts. While these systemsmay have performed well in the past, it may be desirable to provide animproved mixer to more efficiently and effectively mix the reductantwith the exhaust stream.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A mixer assembly for mixing an injected reductant with an exhaust gasoutput from a combustion engine comprises a mixer housing including awall defining an exhaust passageway having a longitudinal axis. Atubular swirling device housing extends along a first axis substantiallytransverse to the longitudinal axis. The tubular swirling deviceincludes a plurality of openings through which exhaust gas enters. Theexhaust gas within the tubular swirling device swirls about the firstaxis and exits at an outlet end of the tubular swirling device. A mixingplate is positioned immediately downstream of the tubular swirlingdevice and includes apertures through which the exhaust gas exiting theoutlet end of the tubular swirling device flows. The mixing plate swirlsthe exhaust about a second axis extending parallel to the longitudinalaxis.

An exhaust aftertreatment system may include an exhaust gas passagewayand a mixer assembly. The exhaust gas passageway may receive exhaust gasoutput from a combustion engine. The mixer assembly may be disposedalong the exhaust gas passageway and may receive the exhaust gas. Themixer assembly may include a mixer housing, a mixing bowl and aninjector housing. The mixing bowl may be disposed within the mixerhousing and may include an outer diametrical surface that engages aninner diametrical surface of a wall of the mixer housing. The injectorhousing may extend through the wall and into an aperture in the mixingbowl. The aperture may define a flow path through which at least amajority of the exhaust gas entering the mixer assembly flows. Themixing bowl may include an upstream end portion having contoursdirecting the exhaust gas toward the injector housing.

In some configurations, the upstream end portion of the mixing bowlincludes a pair of recesses that extend along lateral sides of theupstream end portion and diverge away from each other as the recessesextend toward a flange portion of the mixing bowl.

In some configurations, the upstream end portion of the mixing bowlincludes a generally U-shaped recess.

In some configurations, all of the exhaust gas entering the mixerassembly flows through the aperture.

In some configurations, the injector housing is an annular member havinga plurality of openings through which exhaust gas enters before flowingthrough the aperture in the mixing bowl. The plurality of openings maybe defined by a plurality of louvers.

An injector may inject reagent (e.g., reductant or hydrocarbon fuel)into a mixing chamber defined by the injector housing and the mixingbowl. The exhaust gas and the reagent may mix with each other in themixing chamber.

In some configurations, the exhaust aftertreatment system includes anexhaust aftertreatment component (e.g., a selective catalytic reductioncatalyst or an oxidation catalyst) disposed downstream of the mixingbowl and receiving the mixture of reductant and exhaust gas.

In some configurations, the mixer assembly includes a mixing element(e.g., a mixing plate or other mixing structure) disposed between themixing bowl and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst, the mixingelement including a plurality of louvers and openings.

In some configurations, the mixing bowl includes a flange portion and acollar portion. The flange portion may be disposed between the upstreamend portion and the collar portion. The aperture may extend through theflange portion and is disposed between the collar portion and an inletof the mixer housing.

In some configurations, the collar portion is disposed furtherdownstream than the upstream end portion.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a mixer assemblyreceiving exhaust gas from an engine and mixing the exhaust gas with aninjected fluid. The mixer assembly may include a mixer pipe, a mixingbowl and an injector housing. The mixing bowl may be disposed within themixer pipe and may include an outer diametrical surface that engages aninner diametrical surface of a wall of the mixer pipe. The mixing bowlmay have a diameter that is equal to an inner diameter of the mixerpipe. The injector housing may receive the injected fluid and may extendthrough the wall and into an aperture in the mixing bowl. The aperturemay define a flow path through which exhaust gas flows. The mixing bowlmay include contours directing the exhaust gas toward the injectorhousing.

In some configurations, an upstream end portion of the mixing bowlincludes a pair of recesses that extend along lateral sides of theupstream end portion and diverge away from each other as the recessesextend toward a flange portion of the mixing bowl. The aperture may beformed in the flange portion.

In some configurations, the upstream end portion of the mixing bowlincludes a generally U-shaped recess.

In some configurations, all of the exhaust gas entering the mixer pipeflows through the aperture.

In some configurations, the injector housing is an annular member havinga plurality of openings through which exhaust gas enters before flowingthrough the aperture in the mixing bowl.

In some configurations, the plurality of openings are defined by aplurality of louvers.

In some configurations, the mixer assembly includes an injectorinjecting the injected fluid into a mixing chamber defined by theinjector housing and the mixing. The exhaust gas and the injected fluidmix with each other in the mixing chamber.

In some configurations, an outlet of the mixer pipe is connected to aninlet of a housing of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst. Theselective catalytic reduction catalyst may receive the mixture of theinjected fluid and exhaust gas.

In some configurations, the mixer assembly includes a mixing platedisposed between the mixing bowl and the selective catalytic reductioncatalyst. The mixing plate may include a plurality of louvers andopenings.

In some configurations, the mixing bowl includes a flange portion and acollar portion. The flange portion may be disposed between the upstreamend portion and the collar portion. The aperture may extend through theflange portion and is disposed between the collar portion and an inletof the mixer pipe.

In some configurations, the collar portion is disposed furtherdownstream than the upstream end portion.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a mixer assemblyreceiving exhaust gas from an engine. The mixer assembly may include amixer pipe, an injector housing and a mixing bowl. The mixer pipe mayinclude an inlet, an outlet and a longitudinal axis extending throughthe inlet and the outlet. The mixing pipe may receive exhaust gasflowing in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis throughthe inlet. The exhaust gas may flow through the outlet in the firstdirection. The injector housing may receive a reagent and extend intothe mixer pipe between the inlet and outlet. The mixing bowl may bedisposed within the mixer pipe between the inlet and the outlet and mayinclude an aperture receiving a portion of the injector housing. Themixing bowl may include a first contoured surface directing the exhaustgas downstream of the inlet in a second direction toward the injectorhousing. The second direction may be angled relative to the firstdirection or substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The mixingbowl may include a second contoured surface downstream of the firstcontoured surface directing exhaust gas through the aperture in a thirddirection opposite the second direction.

In some configurations, the mixing bowl includes an outer diametricalsurface that engages an inner diametrical surface of a wall of the mixerpipe. The mixing bowl may have a diameter that is equal to an innerdiameter of the mixer pipe.

In some configurations, the first contoured surface is defined by anupstream end portion of the mixing bowl having a pair of recesses thatextend along lateral sides of the upstream end portion and diverge awayfrom each other as the recesses extend toward a flange portion of themixing bowl. The aperture is formed in the flange portion.

In some configurations, the second contoured surface is defined by acollar portion of the mixing bowl, the aperture extends through theflange portion of the mixing bowl and is disposed between the collarportion and the upstream end portion.

In some configurations, the first contoured surface is defined by anupstream end portion of the mixing bowl having a generally U-shapedrecess.

In some configurations, all of the exhaust gas entering the mixer pipethrough the inlet flows through the aperture.

In some configurations, the injector housing is an annular member havinga plurality of openings through which exhaust gas enters before flowingthrough the aperture in the mixing bowl.

In some configurations, the plurality of openings are defined by aplurality of louvers.

In some configurations, the mixer assembly includes an injectorinjecting reductant into a mixing chamber defined by the injectorhousing and the mixing bowl. The exhaust gas and the reductant may mixwith each other in the mixing chamber.

In some configurations, the outlet of the mixer pipe is connected to aninlet of a housing of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst. Theselective catalytic reduction catalyst may receive the mixture of thereductant and exhaust gas.

In some configurations, the mixer assembly includes a mixing platedisposed between the mixing bowl and the selective catalytic reductioncatalyst. The mixing plate may include a plurality of louvers andopenings.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an engine and exhaustaftertreatment system having a mixer assembly according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aftertreatmentsystem including the mixer assembly;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the mixer assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mixing bowl of the mixer assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aftertreatmentsystem including another mixer assembly according to the principles ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the mixer assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mixing bowl of the mixer assembly ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another mixing bowl according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the mixing bowl of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate mixer assembly;and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mixer depicted in FIG.10.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exhaust aftertreatment system 10 isprovided that may treat exhaust gas output by a combustion engine 12.The exhaust aftertreatment system 10 may include an exhaust gaspassageway 14, an oxidation catalyst (e.g., a diesel oxidation catalystor DOC) 16, a filter (e.g., a diesel particulate filter (DPF)) 18, amixer assembly 20 and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst 22.The DOC 16, filter 18, mixer assembly 20 and SCR catalyst 22 aredisposed within the exhaust gas passageway 14 such that some or all ofthe that exhaust gas output from engine 12 flows therethrough.

A hydrocarbon (HC) injector 24 may be disposed at least partially withinthe exhaust gas passageway 14 upstream of the DOC 16. The HC injector 24may receive hydrocarbon fuel from a fuel source 26 and may inject intothe fuel into the stream of exhaust gas upstream of the DOC 16. A burner(not shown) may be disposed at least partially within the exhaust gaspassageway 14 upstream of the DOC 16 at or adjacent the HC injector 24.The burner may ignite the fuel injected by the HC injector 24 toregenerate the DOC 16 and/or the filter 18.

A reductant injector 28 may be disposed adjacent to or partially withinthe mixer assembly 20 upstream of the SCR catalyst 22. The reductantinjector 28 may receive a reductant (e.g., urea) from a reductant tank30 and inject the reductant into an exhaust stream in the mixer assembly20. As will be described in more detail below, reductant may mix withexhaust gas within the mixer assembly 20 prior to flowing through theSCR catalyst 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the mixer assembly 20 may include a mixerhousing or pipe 32, an injector housing 34, a mixing bowl 36, a firstmixing plate 38 and a second mixing plate 40. The mixer housing 32 canbe generally cylindrical and may be directly or indirectly connected toa housing 42 of the SCR catalyst 22. The mixer housing 32 may include aninjector opening 44 through which the injector housing 34 and/or thereductant injector 28 may extend.

The injector housing 34 may be an annular member including a flange 46,a generally cylindrical portion 48, and a generally frustoconicalportion 50. As shown in FIG. 2, a cap 52 may engage a first end 54 ofthe cylindrical portion 48. While not specifically shown in FIG. 2, thereductant injector 28 may extend through an aperture 56 in the cap 52and spray reductant into the cylindrical and frustoconical portions 48,50. The cylindrical portion 48 may include a plurality of apertures 58extending therethrough. The frustoconical portion 50 may include aplurality of louvers 60 defining openings into the injector housing 34.A distal end 62 of the frustoconical portion 50 may engage the mixingbowl 36 and may extend through an aperture 64 in the mixing bowl 36. Insome configurations, the distal end 62 may include a static mixer havinglouvers and apertures, for example, to provide additional turbulence.

The mixing bowl 36 may be a generally bowl-shaped structure that may bestamped and/or otherwise formed from sheet metal, for example. It willbe appreciated that the mixing bowl could be formed by any suitableprocess and from any suitable material. The mixing bowl 36 may includean upstream end portion 66, a collar portion 68, a step or flangeportion 70 and a downstream rim 72 that cooperate to define a mixingchamber 74. The flange portion 70 may be disposed between the upstreamend portion 66 and the collar portion 68 and may include the aperture 64through which the injector housing 34 extends. An outer diametricalsurface of the rim 72 can be welded, fastener or pressed into engagementwith the inner diametrical surface of the mixer housing 32, for example.

As shown in FIG. 4, an exterior surface 75 of the collar portion 68(e.g., the surface of the collar portion 68 that generally faces aninlet 77 of the mixer housing 32) may be generally concave such that acentral portion 71 of the exterior surface 75 is disposed furtherdownstream than lateral portions 73 of an exterior surface 76. As shownin FIG. 2, the exterior surface 76 of the upstream end portion 66 (e.g.,the surface of the upstream end portion 66 that generally faces an inlet77 of the mixer housing 32) may be generally convex such that an upperend 78 of the exterior surface 76 is disposed further upstream than alower end 80 of the exterior surface 76.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of recesses 82 may be formed inlateral side portions of the upstream end portion 66. The recesses 82extend along the perimeter of the upstream end portion 66 and generallydiverge from each other as they extend from a lower portion of theupstream end portion 66 toward the flange portion 70. In this manner,the recesses 82 are shaped to funnel or direct exhaust gas flowing intothe mixer housing 32 toward the injector housing 34 and the collarportion 68 (as indicated by arrows A in FIG. 3) so that exhaust gas willflow into the injector housing 34 (i.e., between the louvers 60 and/orthrough the apertures 58) and flow into the mixing chamber 74 throughthe aperture 64 in the flange portion 70. In the particular embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 2-4, all of the exhaust gas that enters the mixerhousing 32 through the inlet 77 will be directed into the injectorhousing 34 and through the aperture 64 as indicated by the arrows A inFIG. 2. In this manner, the exhaust gas will be thoroughly mixed withthe reductant from reductant injector 28 into the injector housing 34and in the mixing chamber 74. Mixing bowl 36 includes a curved interioror downstream surface 83 shaped in such a manner that exhaust passingthrough aperture 64 is redirected substantially ninety degrees to flowtoward SCR 22.

The first mixing plate 38 may include a plurality of louvers 84 andapertures 86 through which the mixture of reductant and exhaust gas mayflow. The second mixing plate 40 may include a plurality of apertures 88through which the mixture of reductant and exhaust gas may flow. Thefirst and second mixing plates 38, 40 may increase the turbulence of theflow upstream of the SCR catalyst 22 to facilitate further mixing of theexhaust gas and the reductant prior to entering the SR catalyst 22. Themixing plates 38, 40 may also spread the mixture of reductant andexhaust gas over a larger cross-sectional area so that the mixture willflow into the SCR catalyst 22 over a larger cross-sectional area. Itwill be appreciated that the mixer assembly 20 could include any numberof mixing plates and/or static mixers configured in any desired manner.In some embodiments, the contours of the mixing bowl and/or the shapeand position of one or more mixing plates 38, 40 may direct the mixtureof exhaust gas and reductant away from a lower portion (from the frameof reference of FIG. 2) of the SCR catalyst 22 and toward a centralregion of the SCR catalyst 22.

While the mixer assembly 20 is described above as mixing exhaust gaswith reductant from the reductant injector 28 and providing the mixtureto the SCR catalyst 22, it will be appreciated that the mixer assembly20 could be used in conjunction with the HC injector 24 rather than thereductant injector 28. That is, the mixer assembly 20 could be providedupstream of the DOC 16, and the HC injector 24 could inject fuel intothe injector housing 34 and mixing chamber 74 to be mixed with theexhaust gas prior to being ignited.

FIGS. 5-7 depict another configuration of the mixing bowl 36 in whichapertures 90 and louvers 92 are formed in the recesses 82 to allow arelatively small portion of the exhaust gas to flow therethrough ratherthan flowing into the injector housing 34 and the aperture 64. Louvers92 redirect the exhaust flowing through apertures 90 to flow alongcurved interior surface 83. This flow pattern minimizes the number oflarge urea droplets contacting surface 83. If liquid urea droplets doimpinge upon surface 83, the modified flow pattern quickly causes theliquid to evaporate.

Additionally or alternatively, apertures and louvers could be formed inthe exterior surface 76 between the recesses 82. Additionally oralternatively, one or more bypass apertures or passages could be formedin the mixing bowl 36 at or near the aperture 64 and/or at or near therim 72 so that relatively small amounts of exhaust gas can bypass theinjector housing 34. Additionally or alternatively, one or more bypassapertures or passages could be formed in the inner diametrical surfaceof the mixer housing 32 so that relatively small amounts of exhaust gascan bypass the injector housing 34 and the mixing chamber 74.

While the mixer assemblies 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 are orientedhorizontally, it will be appreciated that these assemblies could beoriented vertically. As shown in FIG. 2, the injector housing 34 mayhave an axis of rotation (i.e., a longitudinal axis) that is disposed ata non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixerhousing 32. In the vertical orientation, this configuration may beparticularly advantageous in that liquid droplets can fall away from theinjector 28 rather than forming deposits on the injector 28.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict yet another configuration of a mixing bowl 136 thatincludes one continuous recess 182 in upstream end portion 166 insteadof the pair of recesses 82 described above. Like the recesses 82 of themixing bowl 36 described above, the recess 182 is shaped to funnel ordirect exhaust gas outward and upward so that the exhaust gas will flowaround collar portion 168 and into the injector housing 34 and throughaperture 164 in flange portion 170 in a similar manner as describedabove and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict an alternate mixer assembly 220 including a mixerhousing or pipe 232, an injector housing 234, a mixing bowl 236, a firstmixing plate 238, and a second mixing plate 240. Mixer housing 232 issubstantially similar to previously described mixing housing 32.Similarly, injector housing 234 is substantially similar to thepreviously described injector housing 34. In particular, injectorhousing 234 includes a flange 246 coupled to a swirling device 247.Swirling device 247 includes a cylindrical portion 248 and afrustoconical portion 250. A cap 252 is fixed to flange 246 andcylindrical portion 248. Please refer to the earlier sections of thespecification for greater detail.

Mixing bowl 236 is substantially similar to previously described mixingbowl 236 and the alternate configurations depicted in FIGS. 4-9. Mixingbowl 236, however, includes an aperture 290 associated with a louver 292extending across pipe 232 a distance approximately half of the innerdiameter of the pipe. Aperture 290 and louver 292 are positionedcentrally within the circular cross-section of pipe 232. Exhaust gasflows through aperture 290 and is re-directed by louver 292. Asdescribed in detail with relation to the other embodiments, exhaust gasalso flows through apertures extending through cylindrical portion 248,frustoconical portion 250 to pass through aperture 264 of mixing bowl236.

First mixing plate 238 includes a stepped shape when viewed from theside such that a first portion 243 is positioned axially closer toinjector housing 234 than a second portion 245. An intermediate portion251 interconnects first portion 243 and second portion 245. Intermediateportion 251 is spaced apart from a collar portion 268 of mixing bowl 236to define a pinch point or orifice therebetween. The orifice generates aregion of increased gas velocity to entrain the smaller droplets ofreductant and urge these droplets toward second portion 245 positionedon the same side of pipe as the injector. First portion 243 includes aplurality of louvers 284 and apertures 286 through which the mixture ofreductant and exhaust gas may flow. Second portion 245 includes aplurality of substantially cylindrically-shaped apertures 249 providedto allow reductant and exhaust gas to flow therethrough. Louvers 284 aresubstantially crescent shaped and arranged in an arc to create aswirling exhaust gas motion. As larger droplets of reductant attempt toincrease their distance from the injector, the swirling exhaust gaspattern generated by louvers 284 urges the droplets toward the injectorsuch that they evaporate near the center of the pipe 232.

Second mixing plate 240 may include a plurality of apertures 288 throughwhich the mixture of reductant and exhaust gas may flow. The shape,size, and position of various apertures 288 are defined to further mixthe exhaust gas and reductant prior to entering a downstream catalyst.Mixing plates 238, 240 may distribute the mixture of reductant andexhaust gas over a desired inlet area of the downstream catalyst tooptimize efficiency of catalyst operation.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mixer assembly for mixing an injected reductantwith an exhaust gas output from a combustion engine, comprising: a mixerhousing including a wall defining an exhaust passageway having alongitudinal axis along which the exhaust gas enters the mixer housing;a tubular swirling device extending along a first axis extendingsubstantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, the tubular swirlingdevice including a plurality of openings through which exhaust gasenters, the exhaust gas within the tubular swirling device swirlingabout the first axis and exiting at an outlet end of the tubularswirling device; and a mixing plate positioned immediately downstream ofthe tubular swirling device and including apertures through which theexhaust gas exiting the outlet end flows through, the mixing plateswirling the exhaust about a second axis extending parallel to thelongitudinal axis.
 2. The mixer assembly of claim 1, wherein theplurality of openings are defined by a plurality of louvers.
 3. Themixer assembly of claim 1, further comprising an injector injectingreagent into a mixing chamber defined by the tubular swirling device andthe mixer housing, wherein the exhaust gas and the reagent mix with eachother in the mixing chamber.
 4. The mixer assembly of claim 3, furthercomprising an exhaust aftertreatment component disposed downstream ofthe mixer assembly and receiving the mixture of reagent and exhaust gas.5. The mixer assembly of claim 3, wherein the injector is coaxiallyaligned with the first axis.
 6. The mixer assembly of claim 1, whereinall of the exhaust flowing through the mixer assembly passes through theapertures of the mixing plate.
 7. The mixer assembly of claim 1, whereinthe tubular swirling device includes a cylindrically shaped portionpositioned adjacent to a frusto-conically shaped portion.
 8. The mixerassembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of openings extend throughthe frusto-conically shaped portion and apertures extend through thecylindrically shaped portion.
 9. The mixer assembly of claim 1, whereinthe mixing plate includes a first mixing plate and the mixer assemblyfurther comprises a second mixing plate positioned downstream of thefirst mixing plate, the second mixing plate including apertures throughwhich the exhaust gas flows.
 10. A mixer assembly receiving exhaust gasfrom an engine and mixing the exhaust gas with an injected fluid, themixer assembly comprising: a mixer pipe; a mixing bowl disposed withinthe mixer pipe and including a peripheral surface sealingly coupled to awall of the mixer pipe; and a tubular swirling device disposed withinthe mixer pipe, receiving the injected fluid, and being in fluidcommunication with an aperture in the mixing bowl, the aperture defininga flow path through which exhaust gas flows, the mixing bowl having acontoured surface directing the exhaust gas toward the tubular swirlingdevice.
 11. The mixer assembly of claim 10, wherein an upstream endportion of the mixing bowl includes at least a portion of the contouredsurface, the contoured surface being spaced apart from an inner surfaceof the wall of the mixer pipe.
 12. The mixer assembly of claim 10,wherein the mixing bowl includes an upstream end portion shaped as anaxially extending protrusion.
 13. The mixer assembly of claim 12,wherein the protrusion includes a wall having the aperture extendingtherethrough.
 14. The mixer assembly of claim 13, wherein the upstreamend portion includes a wall portion extending substantiallyperpendicular to a direction of exhaust gas flow, the wall portionpositioned upstream of the aperture.
 15. The mixer assembly of claim 10,wherein the peripheral surface of the mixing bowl circumferentiallyextends adjacent to an inner surface of the wall of the mixer pipe. 16.The mixer assembly of claim 10, wherein all of the exhaust gas enteringthe mixer pipe flows through the aperture.
 17. The mixer assembly ofclaim 10, wherein an upstream end portion of the mixing bowl includesanother aperture allowing exhaust gas to pass through the anotheraperture.
 18. The mixer assembly of claim 10, wherein the tubularswirling device is a tubular member having a plurality of openingsthrough which exhaust gas enters before flowing through the aperture inthe mixing bowl.
 19. The mixer assembly of claim 18, wherein theplurality of openings are defined by a plurality of louvers.
 20. Themixer assembly of claim 10, further comprising an injector injecting theinjected fluid into a mixing chamber defined by the tubular swirlingdevice and the mixing bowl, wherein the exhaust gas and the injectedfluid mix with each other in the mixing chamber.
 21. The mixer assemblyof claim 10, wherein an outlet of the mixer pipe is connected to aninlet of a housing of an exhaust aftertreatment component, the exhaustaftertreatment component receiving the mixture of the injected fluid andexhaust gas.